Why Has The Blacklist Been Canceled?

It can be the absolute worst when a show that you love comes to an end. It's sometimes easier to cope with when the series reaches a natural conclusion. However, plenty of fans of the crime thriller 'The Blacklist' probably don't feel that's the case with the James Spader-fronted show. Nevertheless, NBC has opted to bring it to a close after ten seasons.

Although viewers have had some time to let the news sink in, plenty still don't understand why the series will be leaving our screens in a matter of months. Each episode continues to pull in millions of viewers and be incredibly captivating for plenty of fans. So, why has 'The Blacklist' been canceled? That's what we're here to divulge.

The Blacklist' has lost plenty of notable cast members in recent years

Not all actors want to stay in the same role forever. Even when they love playing a certain character, plenty of stars understand that there comes a time when they have to say goodbye to them. We've seen that a few times in 'The Blacklist' now, and that could explain why the show has been canceled. When Megan Boone left in season eight, there were only three original cast members left in the series. With Amir Arison and Laura Sohn also making their exits since then, a lot of the show's notable characters are no longer around. Plus, Jon Bokenkamp - the creator of 'The Blacklist' - departed a few seasons ago, too, so the fact that it's made it this far is actually a little surprising.

Critical reception and viewership seem to have declined over time

Something else that we've seen change a little throughout the course of 'The Blacklist' is the critical reception. Although the show has been repeatedly praised, particularly in regard to Spader's performance as Ramond Reddington, opinion has started to decline more recently. For instance, Brian Lowry - who writes for CNN - has celebrated the show's achievements in the past. However, he panned the eighth season, believing the quality had started to drop and criticizing the mystery of Red's identity. It's also worth noting that viewership isn't what it used to be. While that's partly down to changes in how people consume media, the series lost an average of nearly 10 million viewers between seasons one and nine. While a few million still tune in every week, these aren't necessarily sustainable figures.

James Spader believes it's better to end the show now than later

Devoted fans of 'The Blacklist' may well argue that the series could produce another ten seasons or more and still be enjoyable. There will always be people who think that about their favorite shows. However, Spader argues that the series ending with season ten is actually a good thing. He told NBC that the show "shifts a lot" tonally with each episode, sometimes to its detriment. He remarked that it's taken some "strange turns," and if it went on much longer, it would "become something that would be less recognizable to me." Rather than allow the show to continue and potentially alienate the fanbase by losing sight of itself, Spader thinks it's better to just end it here.

NBC canceling The Blacklist doesn't reflect their feelings about the show

While NBC might have decided that 'The Blacklist' has served its time, that doesn't mean they have anything against the show. Lisa Katz - who's the president of scripted content at NBC Universal Television and Streaming - praised the series following its cancellation. She said that it had the "perfect combination" of cast, crew, writing, and producers, all of whom "rose to the occasion" and "never failed to deliver." She also had nothing but positive words for Spader, whose performance she stated has been "nothing short of spectacular." While 'The Blacklist' might be ending in a matter of months, it's clear that it will always have a special place in NBC's history.

We're sure that some fans could argue that 'The Blacklist' still has a few years left in it, and they might be right. Unfortunately, this is probably one decision that NBC isn't likely to reverse. At least the show will be going out on a high, which potentially wouldn't be the case if stuck around for a few more years.